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Seljalandsfoss waterfall

South IcelandWaterfallEntry fee (parking)Open all year
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026

Visit on one of our South Coast tours

Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss
SELJALANDSFOSS IN SHORT

Seljalandsfoss is a 60-metre waterfall on the Seljalandsá river in South Iceland, about 120 km (around 1 hour 40 minutes) from Reykjavík. It is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland with a path behind the falling water. Parking costs around ISK 1,000, and most people spend 30–45 minutes here.

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Quick factsHistoryGetting thereWalk behindThings to doBest time to visitSafety tipsFacilitiesMapNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

About Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres from what was once the edge of the coastline, back when sea levels were higher after the last ice age. The Seljalandsá river is fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull, the glacier-capped volcano that erupted in 2010 and grounded flights across Europe.

What sets this waterfall apart is the path that circles behind the curtain of water, giving a rare view looking outward through the falls towards the flat coastal plain. The rock behind is uneven and often slick with spray, so the walk needs sturdy shoes and a tolerance for getting wet, but the view from behind is one of the most photographed in Iceland.

Seljalandsfoss is not the only waterfall on this cliff. Around half a dozen smaller streams drop over the same old sea cliff to the north, and a flat, marked path follows the foot of the cliff past them to Gljúfrabúi, about 600 metres away. In summer the meadow in front of the falls is green and full of wildflowers, and it is a good place to sit for a while once you have dried off.

Quick facts

HeightAbout 60 m
RiverSeljalandsá, fed by Eyjafjallajökull glacier
RegionSouth Iceland, on the Ring Road
From ReykjavíkAbout 120 km, around 1 hour 40 minutes by car
From SkógafossAbout 30 km, around 25 minutes by car
EntryFree; parking fee applies
ParkingAbout ISK 1,000 per car, paid via checkit.is
Opening hoursOpen all year, day and night
Time needed30–45 minutes

A waterfall from an older coastline

The cliff Seljalandsfoss falls from once marked the edge of Iceland's south coast, before the land that is now flat farmland in front of it was built up by glacial silt and rivers over thousands of years. That older sea cliff is what makes the path behind the water possible, since it leaves a gap between the rock face and the falling water wide enough to walk through.

The name comes from Seljaland, the farm the falls sit beside, itself named after the seasonal shielings (sel) once used for summer grazing in this area. The waterfall has long been a landmark for travellers moving along the coast beneath the glaciers.

How to get to Seljalandsfoss

On a guided tourSeljalandsfoss is a standard stop on South Coast day tours from Reykjavík, usually paired with Skógafoss and sometimes Gljúfrabúi.
By carFollow Route 1 east from Reykjavík for about 120 km. You can see the waterfall from the Ring Road well before you reach it. Just after the bridge over the Markarfljót river, turn left onto Route 249, which is well signposted, and the car park is a very short drive up that road.
By public transportScheduled South Coast buses stop near Seljalandsfoss, though check current timetables since services are limited outside summer.
ParkingThe car park is right beside the falls and charges around ISK 1,000, paid via checkit.is, one of the longest-running paid car parks in Iceland.

Walking behind the falls

A gravel and rock path circles from the car park around behind the water and back.

The loopAllow 15–20 minutes for the full loop behind and around the falls, more if the path is busy or icy.
What to expectSpray reaches the path on both approaches, and the ground behind the falls is uneven rock, often wet underfoot.
What to wearWaterproof jacket and trousers, and a cover for your camera or phone. Going all the way round will get you wet. Wear sturdy shoes, because the path past the waterfall is often muddy.

The path behind the falls is usually closed in winter, any time from late October to late April, because ice covers it and icicles and rock can fall from the cliff above. It can also close in high water. Check on arrival and respect the closure.

Things to do near Seljalandsfoss

Most people give Seljalandsfoss half an hour. With a little more time there is a good deal more to do on foot from the same car park.

Walk to GljúfrabúiFollow the marked path north along the foot of the cliff for about ten minutes, past several smaller waterfalls and across a couple of small streams, to <a href="/locations/gljufrabui-waterfall/">Gljúfrabúi</a>, a 40-metre waterfall half hidden inside a narrow canyon.
Camp at HamragarðarCamping is not allowed at Seljalandsfoss or on the cliff. The Hamragarðar campsite is a couple of minutes away, right beside Gljúfrabúi, with toilets, washing-up sinks, tables and a small snack bar. You can see Seljalandsfoss from your tent in the morning.
Picnic in the meadowOn a dry summer day the grass in front of the falls is a pleasant place to stop and eat, away from the spray.
See it lit up in winterIn the dark months the waterfall is floodlit, and the light on the icicles and frozen spray is worth a stop even when the path behind the falls is closed.

Best time to visit Seljalandsfoss

Summer (June–August)Full flow from glacier melt, wildflowers in the meadow, long light for photos, and the busiest crowds of the year.
Autumn (September–October)Calmer crowds and cooler air, with the walk-behind path usually still open.
Winter (November–March)Ice forms on the rock and path behind the falls, so the loop is usually closed, and the open paths can be very slippery. The falls still run, at lower volume, framed by icicles and snow, and they are floodlit after dark.
Spring (April–May)Meltwater raises the flow again, with fewer visitors than summer.

Safety and practical tips

  • Bring waterproofs. You will get wet walking behind the falls, whatever the weather above.
  • Wear shoes with grip. The rock path behind the falls is uneven and often slippery.
  • Visit early or late in the day in summer to avoid the busiest hours.
  • Walk about ten minutes further to Gljúfrabúi, a smaller waterfall tucked into a canyon, if time allows.
  • Protect your camera or phone from spray, especially close to the falls.
  • In winter, bring ice grips for your shoes. The spray freezes on the paths around the falls.

Facilities and accessibility

There are toilets and a small snack kiosk at the car park. The Hamragarðar campsite is a few minutes' walk to the north, by Gljúfrabúi. Fuel and wider services are available in Hvolsvöllur, a short drive away.

On the map

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Nearby places worth a stop

GljúfrabúiGljúfrabúiWaterfall inside a narrow canyon, about ten minutes' walk awaySkógafossSkógafoss60-metre waterfall further eastEyjafjallajökullEyjafjallajökullThe glacier volcano that feeds this riverNauthúsagilNauthúsagilNarrow ravine with a waterfall, 10–15 minutes further up Route 249GluggafossGluggafossWaterfall with rock windows in FljótshlíðKvernufossKvernufossQuieter waterfall near Skógar that you can also walk behindStakkholtsgjáStakkholtsgjáCanyon on the 4x4 road to Þórsmörk
ÞórsmörkHighland valley reached by 4x4 or highland bus

Where to stay near Seljalandsfoss

Hvolsvöllur and the wider Rangárvellir area have hotels and guesthouses, and make a convenient base for Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Þórsmörk.

Seljalandsfoss FAQ

Can you really walk behind Seljalandsfoss?

Yes, a path circles behind the curtain of water. Expect spray and uneven, sometimes slippery rock underfoot.

Is there an entrance fee for Seljalandsfoss?

There is no entry fee for the waterfall, but the car park charges around ISK 1,000 per vehicle.

How high is Seljalandsfoss?

About 60 metres.

How far is Seljalandsfoss from Reykjavík?

About 120 km, or around 1 hour 40 minutes by car.

Is the path behind the falls open in winter?

Not always. Ice can close it, so check conditions on arrival rather than assuming it is open.

Can you camp at Seljalandsfoss?

Not at the waterfall itself. The Hamragarðar campsite is a couple of minutes away, beside Gljúfrabúi.

Do you get wet at Seljalandsfoss?

Yes, if you walk behind the falls. Bring waterproofs and protect your camera or phone.

See Seljalandsfoss with a local

Tours and trips that include Seljalandsfoss, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.

Private South Coast TourPRIVATEPrivate South Coast TourFrom 140,000 ISK per groupMúlagljúfur Canyon Private TourPRIVATEMúlagljúfur Canyon Private TourFrom 220,000 ISK per groupPrivate South Coast & Katla Ice Cave TourPRIVATEPrivate South Coast & Katla Ice Cave TourFrom 160,000 ISK per groupSouth Coast & Solheimasandur Plane Wreck Private TourPRIVATESouth Coast & Solheimasandur Plane Wreck Private TourFrom 144,000 ISK per group2 Day South Coast Private TourMULTI-DAY2 Day South Coast Private TourFrom 659,980 ISK per groupKatla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from ReykjavikDAY TOURKatla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from ReykjavikFrom 36,199 ISK per person
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